National Restaurant Association Issues Statement on the Loss of Celebrated Restaurateur Matt Haley

(Washington, D.C.)- Today National Restaurant Association President and CEO Dawn Sweeney issued the following statement on the loss of celebrated restaurateur and humanitarian Matt Haley. Matt was a champion for the restaurant industry and a noted philanthropist. He was the recipient of this year's National Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s 2014 Restaurant Neighbor Cornerstone Humanitarian Award.

“Today the restaurant industry lost a giant. Matt was a champion for our industry and a shining example the humanitarian spirit. Matt overcame all odds to become one of America’s most successful restaurateurs and philanthropists. He touched the lives of so many individuals through his incredible charity work across the globe and in his beloved state of Delaware. Matt was a friend to the NRA and we deeply mourn his loss.”

Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association

###

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 990,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 13.5 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We operate the industry's largest trade show (NRA Show May 16-19, 2015, in Chicago); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart); as well as the Kids LiveWell program promoting healthful kids' menu options. For more information, visit Restaurant.org and find us on Twitter , and YouTube.